In vivo association to human colon of Lactobacillus paracasei B21060: map from biopsies.

BACKGROUND

Adhesion to the intestinal mucosa is one of the main suitable properties for probiotic bacteria. Several in vitro studies have been published, but a very few data are available about the in vivo adhesion to intestinal surfaces of probiotics. Moreover, there are no data regarding the distribution of a probiotic strain along the entire intestine.

AIM

The present study aimed to preliminary evaluate the intestinal recovery of a new synbiotic formulation containing Lactobacillus paracasei B21060.

METHODS

Seven volunteers participated in the study. Subjects assumed three times a day for 15 days a sachet with a synbiotic preparation containing 5 x 10(9)CFUs of Lactobacillus paracasei strain B21060. Samples were recovered from the faeces and from the cecum, transverse, descending and sigmoid colon.

RESULTS

Identification at strain level showed that following administration, strain B21060 could be recovered from all sampled sites (except in one subject), representing 66.6% of the total vancomycin insensitive CFUs isolated from faecal samples, and 74.7% isolated from colonic samples.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that Lactobacillus paracasei B21060 probiotic strain is able to temporarily associate throughout the different sites of the entire intestinal tract.